2026 Seidenberg - Mid-Century Classic in Mid-Town Key West

2026 Seidenberg Avenue - May 2011

You know you are getting old when houses that were built when you were a kid are now considered classic and chic. If only that applied to guys my age.

I got a chance to revisit 2026 Seidenberg Avenue last week during Realtor caravan. That is when we Realtors get on a bus and travel from house to house to see new listings. The Seidenberg home is worthy of noting. The listing agent (who is also an owner) describes the property this way:

"Mid-Century Modern architectural gem in Mid-Town was renovated by Colombian architect, Guillermo A Orozco, & awarded the Star of Excellence by the Historic Florida Keys Foundation. 3 bedrooms & 2 baths. Many fine features include bamboo, river rock, new terrazzo, & Brazilian flagstone floors. Full wall mural by local artist, Rick Worth, depicting a mangrove forest. The kitchen has custom cherry wood cabinetry, honed-slate countertops, stainless steel appliances, wine cooler, & reverse osmosis water purifier. All impact resistant windows & doors. Black lagoon pool with coral stone waterfall. Outdoor seating/lounging areas plus bamboo structure with Arabian-style tenting for outdoor dining."

I wrote about his house in 2009, and I have mentioned Guillermo A. Orozco's architecture in my blog on several occasions. He is one of the more talented architects in Key West. So seeing how he re-designed or re-styled his own home was a treat. I firmly believe that anybody who buys a noted architect's house or contractor's house is probably buying more style and more substance than you would get in a comparably priced property. Every architect or contractor home I have been has always been superior to other houses in the same price range.

New Kitchen Fits Right into Place

Understated Update - Clean Lines without Pretension

Second Floor Bedroom/Office Overlooks Pool

Pool View from Master Bedroom Balcony

Chill!

Elegance

CLICK HERE for more detailed information and photos of this very thoughtfully re-designed home. The house has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and 1500 sq ft of living area under roof. It sits on a nice corner lot of 5000 sq ft. There is a terribly expensive bamboo fence that gives the yard both privacy and distinction. The asking price is $685,000 or $457 per sq ft. (That's high for the area, however, this house is not like other houses in the area). I took more interior photos which you can see if you CLICK HERE.

I re-drove the area this morning as I took exterior photos. This house is perhaps over-improved for the area, but there are others that fall into that category. And like Old Town, there are some pitiful 'palaces' as well. I bet it is like that where you live as well. For readers unfamiliar with the location click GOOGLE MAP . The property is two blocks north of the main entrance to Key West High School in the Mid Town area of Key West.

If you are into Mid-Century Modern architecture, you owe it to yourself to look at 2026 Seidenberg Avenue. And if you are looking for an architect, you owe it to yourself to visit Guillerom Orozoco's website to see other properties he has designed in Key West.

Please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305.766.2642 to schedule a visit to view this property. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West. I wonder if I qualify as a "classic".

1216 Catherine Street - Short Sale - Key West

1216 Catherine Street - Key West - Short Sale

Bargain hunters looking for a nice house at an affordable house in Key West ought to consider the Short Sale at 1216 Catherine Street. The listing Realtor describes this renovated two bedroom with 2 1/2 baths this way:

"A Grand Restoration of an Historic Conch Home with an Attention to Detail. The Kitchen is Finished with Stainless Steel Appliances and Granite Countertops, Beautifully Restored Dade County Pine finishes Throughout. Pool with Waterfall in the backyard surrounded by a Lush Tropical Landscape and a Pool House nearby for Storage with Many Potential Uses. This Home is in a Great Location, Just Steps from White Streets Shopping and Art Galleries. A Short Distance from All of Key West has to Offer."

The house has 1440 sq ft of living space and sits on a 29' x 88' lot just east of White Street in the Arts & Deco District of Key West. Click the GOOGLE MAP to view the aerial and street views. You will note the house is located near the Island Gym, a real estate office, a doctors office, a car wash, and many nearby restaurants, galleries, gas stations and government offices. There is a small assisted living complex across the street. More than anything, I think the location is driving this short sale (see photo below). The area is not bad. But it isn't what most second home buyers dream of owning. Potential primary home buyers may dismiss considering it as well because of the nearby commercial activity. If some or all of the above issues bother you as a buyer, stop reading. But if you are open to compromising your wish list to get a good price on a nice house, read on.

Assisted living located across from 1216 Catherine Street - Island Gym is on the corner

CLICK HERE to checkout the Key West mls database on this house which is offered at $599,000 or $415.87 per sq ft. The photos below show the pool and part of the interior of this house.

Bricked pathway around the house and back to pool

This is a house definitely worth taking a look at, even if only for price comparison purposes. If you are looking for a Key West house with a pool; off street parking, and a picture perfect facade, you might just want to call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a showing of this property. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West.

1014 Elgin Lane - Short Sale - Old Town - Key West

Great Room at the rear with double French Doors leading to pool

The second floor bedroom at 1014 Elgin Lane

1014 Elgin Lane is a really charming two bedroom cottage located in the Old Town section of Key West. Elgin Lane is a one-way lane that runs westerly from White Street and ends at Grinnell Street.

The listing Realtor describes this beauty this way:

"Darling 1 & 1/2 story Key West cottage with small dip pool on quiet Old Town lane near Key West Historic Seaport area. Nicely maintained with charming details including a nice open kitchen/living area with vaulted ceilings and double french doors overlooking cozy backyard setting beneath a canopy of mature trees. Surrounded by a white picket fence with off street parking finished in brick for one car. This is a potential short sale transaction subject to lender approval."

The first floor bedroom is located up front to the right and the Great Room is at the rear

The 960 sq ft cottage is laid out most efficiently. There is a formal entry with the first floor bedroom and bath located at front behind pocket doors. The Dade County Pine walls and crisp clean white trim punctuate each room in the house. The cheerful entry leads to the rear great room which houses the living, dining, and kitchen areas in one large room with French doors that open out onto the small pool in the rear. Upstairs you will find an equally charming second bedroom and a separate bath. The rear yard has a dip pool. The asking price on this short sale property is $675,000. CLICK HERE to see the mls listing details and to view more listing photos. Based on recent sales the asking price is a bit too high. I think a serious buyer would be an aggressive buyer with cash in hand.

I took additional photos of 1014 Elgin Lane which you can see if you CLICK HERE.

The Historic Key West Seaport is located about 5 to 7 minute walk to the north and west. Duval Street is a 7 to 10 minute walk. Strunk Ace Hardware is a block away. (There is a little Tim The Tool Man Taylor in every guy I know.) The Restaurant Store is next door where you can channel your Inner Bobby Flay. Cole'z Peace Bakery is next door to the east where you can buy Artisan (code: expensive homemade) bread that tastes really great. The uber-new Old Town Bakery is one block west. Azur Restaurant is around the corner 1/2 block from Elgin Lane at the corner of Fleming and Grinnell. (They have daily lunch specials that locals love.) Most everyplace in Old Town is within an easy walking distance.

The nice thing about this house is that nothing needs fixed. It is in "move-in" condition. Bring your tooth brush, some fresh shorts and tee shirts, and get ready to live your life your way in Key West.

I think this is a heck of a buy. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to schedule a showing. I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Proprieties Coastal Realty, Inc. in Key West, Florida.

1800 Atlantic Penthouse Condo - Key West Waterfront

Just listed, by not by me, 1800 Atlantic Unit C 439, which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. The listing Broker describes the unit this way:

"Top floor unit with stunning views down Smather's Beach, vaulted ceilings and a transient rental license. Great location within a great location! Enjoy all of the amenities for which 1800 Atlantic is so well known and generate income to help with the carrying costs."

Loyal Readers know that just about every unit at 1800 Atlantic is 1357 square feet and has a nearly identical layout consisting of two bedrooms, two baths, eat in kitchen, shared dining and living areas, and a killer balcony that extends the length of the unit so that each room (except the baths) as views. The location, dear Readers, is one of three factors that dramatically effects the pricing among units for sale. The two other factors are whether the unit has been updated and whether the unit has a transient rental license. Few buyers want a bad location or inferior view. Some buyers want perfection for the 'get go' while others are willing to accept any property as long as the price is right, and some buyers require a transient license so they can rent a unit as much as possible when they are not using the unit themselves.

Top floor Smather's Beach view

Penthouse has vaulted ceilings that add volume to the living areas

1800 Atlantic Unit C 439 is a penthouse unit (meaning not only top floor but also that the unit has extra tall vaulted ceilings which add height and volume to the living room and bedrooms. This unit is the first unit off the ocean front which has the commanding waterfront views. Being second best works in this case. This unit has valuable City of Key West transient license which makes daily rental (every day of the year possible as opposed to a special Truman Annex transient rental license that has restrictions as to the number of weeks an owner can rent the unit on a transient basis). Finally, this unit is original which means the kitchen and baths are the same now as they were when the unit was built in 1984. In an age where almost everything must be 'new' to be good, being 27 years old may seem like it is less than perfect. That, Dear Reader, is not the case here. I have photos to prove it. CLICK HERE to see photos of this unit and the views. A potential buyer who wants a new kitchen or new baths or new furniture can get exactly what they want.

1800 Atlantic Condominiums have a loyal following of returning visitors. The ocean front location with the giant pool and spa and the surprisingly large gardens, tennis courts, and covered parking work well for visitors that have done the Duval crawl and decided they prefer the oceanfront location.
You or your guests can walk to Smather's Beach for a game of volleyball, a personal sail, or some ordinary tanning in an extraordinary location.

Smather's Beach is next door to your home

No traffic, no parking, no problems

Or you can swim in your own pool or walk the beach outside the door

Unit C 439 is offered at $498,000. CLICK HERE to view the Key West mls database on this unit.

Here's the deal: This unit should sell very quickly as opposed to other units that have been on the market for ages. When I took the photos on Saturday, four other agents were there doing the same thing for their buyers. The penthouse location and view plus the transient license makes this unit a very sellable unit. If you wait too long on this, you will likely miss out.

If you are looking to purchase a property in Key West and have not yet found the right person to deal with, please consider working with me, Gary Thomas. 305-766-2642 or by email at kw1101v@aol.com. I am a buyer's agent and a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.

Key West Tongue Twister: Sunrise at Seaside Short Sale

Saying "Sunrise Suite Short Sale at Seaside" sounds silly. But buying a top floor condo at Sunrise Suites could sound appealing to a buyer wanting a condo with a valuable transient rental license. Preferred Properties (that's where I work but this is not my listing) just listed 3625 Seaside Drive Unit # 404 for just $279,000. The listing Realtor describes the property this way:

"Sunrise at Seaside - A condo hotel conversion. This fourth-floor condo has an excellent rental history, is beautifully furnished, and is being sold turnkey. Condo docs also allow for full-time use by owner. The swimming pool with spa, tennis courts and other common elements, are surrounded by the serenity and natural beauty of the Salt Ponds Hammock. From the balcony, there are also distant views of the ocean!"

CLICK HERE to checkout the details on Unit # 404. Monthly condo fees are $465.16 and include cable tv, trash removal, exterior building maintenance, building insurance, common area and pool maintenance. Property amenties include a spectacular pool and spa, gym, tennis courts, and abundant parking. A small (and expensive) convenience store within walking distance.
There is on-site property management as well.

On site property management and guest check-in

The Sunrise Suites is located on the eastern edge of Key West, hence the name. The Atlantic Ocean and nearby Smathers Beach provides countless healthy outdoor opportunities including walking, jogging, skating, roller blading, biking, plus volley ball, and tanning.


Some people carp about our beaches. I know we don't have roaring waves like the some of the beaches in other parts of Florida. But we also don't have little kids or adults get swept away in violent undertows. There is something so damned soothing about the near glassy sheen of our early morning and late afternoon calm waters. Smathers is just beautiful and it is only a short bike or car ride away.



If you are looking for an affordable Key West getaway place that you can rent when you are not here, this Sunrise Suite 4th floor condo may be the place you have been looking for. Please call me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 or contact me by email at kw1101v@aol.com to arrange a showing (of this unit or similar-these places stay occupied). I am a full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc.

Secret Hideout Found in Key West!

U.S. Navy blimp at Trumbo Point - only blocks away from Elizabeth Street

There's been a lot of interest this past week on the discovery of you know who's hideout in Pakistan. Hiding in plain sight is apparently a good way to avoid being seen or bothered. It took me some detective work to find the location of 310 Elizabeth Street in Old Town Key West. My investigation included calling out the Navy Blimp, an aerial photographer, and looking at the Monroe County Property Appraiser's website where I got to see how hidden the property is. See below.

The listing Realtor describes 310 Elizabeth Street like this:

"Grand historic home with transient license in historic seaport area. Tucked behind a canopy of palms & fencing this home has a unique sense of privacy situated at the very back of irregular shaped 6800 sqft lot . More recently known as the Hogs Breath House, this home was originally built in the Bahamas & brought to Key West boasting Dade County Pine throughout, classic architecture & solid bones. Large family room & formal dining welcomes you to this classic beauty opening onto porch & pool area. The 1st floor also includes kitchen & 2 bedrooms each w/ full bath. The 2nd floor is dedicated to the spacious Master bedroom & bath. 3rd floor is split into two areas suitable for bedrooms, office space or storage."

Not visible from the street - pool is to the right of the house

Watching nothing happen was never so wonderful

Kewl pool and grounds for getting that all-over tan

Relax in the family room

Cook in comfort

Dine in style

Sleep in peace

310 Elizabeth Street is a big house -2575 sq ft of living space on three floors. It sits on a very large odd-shaped lot (6804 sq ft) at the very rear of the lot. The off street parking space is the only give-away that there is a house hidden from view beyond the trees. The property to the rear is the U.S. office building which includes the United States District Court. No rock and roll properties there at night or weekends. The property is just a couple of minutes walk to the seaport or Duval Street.

310 Elizabeth Street is offered for sale at $1,699,000. CLICK HERE to review the Key West mls database on this very large property that includes a valuable City of Key West Transient License.

If you like the idea of being close to everything but far from prying eyes the house at 310 Elizabeth Street might just be what you have been looking for. Please contact me, Gary Thomas, 305-766-2642 to arrange a private showing of this hidden treasure. I am a buyer's agent and full time Realtor at Preferred Properties Coastal Realty, Inc. If you buy, I promise not to divulge a thing.